February 1,  2004  Volume 10, Issue 29

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JVP fomenting religious strife,
risking bloodbath

The SLFP-JVP alliance was signed on January 20 at the auspicious hour.

In an interview with the Sinhala media, JVP spokesman, Wimal Weerawansa is reported to have had on January 18, said that the JVP was not a Marxist party but a Buddhist one. "It was founded in 1965 on Vesak Day and has been shaped and formed by Buddhist culture and not Marxism."

That Weerawansa could have had the temerity to make such a claim shows the utter contempt the JVP has for the intelligence of the Sinhala people. Werawansa wants us to forget the brutal and bloody carnage the JVP inflicted on the Sinhala people during Mrs. B's first innings and during JR's second innings. He pretends that such things never happened!

The JVP has taken a deadly new tack. Weerawansa says "the main aim of the alliance with the SLFP is to give the country something it has called for but never got since 1505. The new alliance is a political journey to achieve a revival of our pre-1505 culture."

Why 1505? That was the year when the Portuguese first came to Sri Lanka. What they left behind 150 years later, was the Roman Catholic faith firmly entrenched in our country. To go back to a pre-1505 Sri Lanka would require the total eradication of every trace of the Catholic religion in Sri Lanka. All churches would have to be destroyed.

Already attacks on churches have begun. No one knows how many churches have so far been attacked and torched. Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne, in a recent TV chat show, stated the figure was over a 100!

It is very easy to foment religious strife but it is difficult to crush it. Buddhism has always prided itself on the fact that it has never been embroiled in religious strife with other faiths, unlike Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Now the new alliance is planning to end all that.

SWRD, in order to further his political ambitions, found it necessary to create strife between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. His daughter, CBK, for exactly the same reason, has now become head of an alliance which plans to alienate the Catholics from the Buddhists, risking a bloodbath in the process.

We, the people of Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese, the Tamils, the Moors, the Malays, Burghers, the Buddhists, the Hindus, the Catholics, the Christians of other denominations, the Muslims, and the free-thinkers must all get together and raise our voices and cry out against this new madness. Politicians should no longer be allowed to ruin the country for their selfish purposes.

Lal Bahadur de Silva
Unawatuna

Religious conversions - a few questions

This is in response to the article "Making a case against conversions" by Risidra Mendis and Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema which appeared in your issue of 4 January.

Most similar articles are based on so called "unethical conversion." When reference is made to 'unethical conversion' it implies that there is something called 'ethical conversions' too. Can the writers or any other person clarify what the unethical conversions (and if possible, ethical conversions, as well) are? Where are we going to draw the line between 'unethical' and 'ethical' conversions?

Very often we refer to conversion from Buddhism to Christianity. But what are the numbers? So far no one has provided statistics from authentic sources in this regard. In the circumstances could anybody provide numbers of each religion as per the censuses taken during the last 50 years or so? This will help to identify the magnitude of the problem.

When talking about conversions we forget about other conversions, e.g. political conversions. Can we say all political conversions are ethical? Aren't there allegations that politicians change party for monetary considerations? Some such 'conversions' have had far-reaching effects - even changing governments. Are these ethical? Why do we bother only about religious conversions? It is a pity that the politicians have to pass laws to prevent "unethical conversions."

The article refers to ".embrace a foreign religion.". Can we honestly say Christianity is the only foreign religion? For that matter almost all the religions including Buddhism came from foreign countries. In the whole world only a very few countries can talk about a 'local' or 'native' religion.

W.S.
Colombo

SLT sends SOS for doctor!

SLT, the premier telecom service provider is currently undergoing a severe case of congestion. Even though it offers services like conference calls, lowest IDD rates, broadband, etc. the parent body is suffering. This severe case of congestion does not allow a user to dial up even 121 to report a failure, call up a person in the same city from point A to point B, does not inform about broken connections / phones..but somehow keeps the body and soul together to provide fancy bills bearing heart stopping rates to  its customers.

The successful applicant doctor will have guaranteed permanent  employment with SLT.  So apply via phone with full credentials. Of course you may have a hard time to reach us - we are suffering from a severe case of congestion.

Disgusted subscriber

Marine drive - a veritable deathtrap

The Marine Drive from Wellawatte to Bambala-pitiya could be a veritable deathtrap for the old, middle-aged as well as the young, who for years have found it a convenient stretch of road for their morning constitutional.

The municipality has failed to set speed traps or speed limits on this road which was recently macadamised. Motorists using this drive seem to be in a mighty hurry with one foot permanently ramming the accelerator. The walkers keep to the right facing the oncoming traffic, and beyond the white guideline on the margin. But errant/demoniac motorists cross the middle line to overtake other vehicles and drive recklessly on the right, brushing past the walkers.

I sincerely hope this letter catches the eye of the traffic police and that immediate action is taken.

I also suggest that the municipality puts up name boards for all the lanes at the Marine Drive end as well, for easy identification.

Thilana Yoganathan
Colombo 6

A thousand hurrahs

A thousand hurrahs to you for your relentless pursuit of justice, decency and good governance, even at the risk of your own life, as evidenced again and again through the columns of your paper. Your editorial of January 25, spotlighting the pathetic state of ethics at all levels of governance in SL today, deserves a special round of applause. The amazing irony is how Prime Minister Wickremesinghe can continue to remain so impervious to the mountains of filth around him, even lending patronage to it, and yet claim to be Mr Clean!

I should also mention my admiration for your columnist Frederica Jansz who seems to share in full measure your commitment to a corruption free government.

It is a source of encouragement and hope, that even as the voices in defence of clean government are heard less and less across the land, your voices continue to be heard, loud and clear, above the encroaching silence.

Neville Jayaweera
Kent, UK

Mayor's welcome gesture

Colombo Mayor Prasanna Gunawardena in association with the Sri Lanka Tamil Women's Union celebrated Thai Pongal with Deputy Mayor M. Azath Salley, municipal councillors, municipal commissioner and other staff participating at his official residence on Thai Pongal day.

This welcome gesture was intended to promote communal harmony and was applauded by everyone present.

Thunnalai S.A. Masilamany
Colombo 10

How can this class of breadwinners
be accommodated?

There is a class of breadwinners who don't seem to exist such as the likes of senior citizens who clamour for a higher rate of interest. If their savings can be shown as terminal benefits, will the finance minister grant exemption from withholding tax to those receiving a monthly interest of over Rs. 9000 and not exceeding Rs. 25,000 from one bank, if they can show proof from relevant government authorities that it is their only source of income.

The class they are oblivious of, comprises women who have been driven to self-employment because they have hardly ever enjoyed a spouse's salary and never enjoyed any accrued benefits such as pension, EPF, ETF or gratuity. They have laboured valiantly and assiduously to keep the home fires burning and to give their children a fair chance in life. Without indulging in luxuries or what is surely their birthright, they have also managed to save against old age and illness so that they can live in dignity and not be a burden even to their children.

Their monthly interest might only just exceed Rs. 9000. They might have also suffered other catastrophes and received no compensation. But in spite of all odds they have made it. How can this category be recognised for the benefits which some senior citizens think is their prerogative? And how is the finance minister going to accommodate them?

Unclassified Breadwinner
Colombo 6

Breakthrough - a landmark 

Your breakthrough in the Thilanga Sumathipala episode is a landmark in the history of investigative journalism. I am indeed proud of your commitment to a cause of righteousness.

In Canada I usually browse through the Sri Lankan newspapers on the internet. The only newspaper that caught my eye was The Sunday Leader. I was really enthralled by the manner in which your editorials were written on Thilanga Sumathipala's antics. Thereafter I never missed your editorials. You have left no stone unturned to bring the miscreant to the clutchesof the law. I really admire your valiant stand despite obstructions by various interested parties to counteract your undaunted efforts. It is a remarkable achievement where a newspaper has valiantly stood out to expose the misdoings of an individual who had all political support.

Wije
Canada

Fuss about unethical conversion 

First let me salute our President for the most unbiased and courageous statements she had made in the recent past against the Buddhist extremists who try to destabilise the government for their narrow political gains.

Right thinking Buddhists know that all this fuss about unethical conversion is a storm in a tea cup. The manner in which our Buddhist monks are behaving with regard to this issue is degrading. The world can see on TV and in newspapers that it is the monks who are at the forefront of any strike or procession. I would like to warn these monks that the common masses are losing their respect for them who have become a threat to civilised society and the Buddha Sasana.

We look up to the monks for advice and spiritual guidance, but it is a shame that today laymen have to instruct monks on how to behave in society.

The ordinary Buddhists have learnt during the past few months that though many churches and NGOs were attacked, Christians have not retaliated and borne the many accusations with patience. Many Buddhists are showing respect to the Christian clergy for their behaviour which is lacking among Buddhists.

If their accusations of unethical conversions do not stop what will eventually happen is that we will lose more Buddhists who will embrace Christianity with conviction and get converted 'ethically.'

R.T. Abeyratne
Colombo 4

CBK, cohorts and salmon eaters

Permit me a little space in your esteemed journal, which enjoys a reputation for forthright comment to express my views as a non card holder of any political party. I hate to be taken for a sucker by self serving politicos, who live in luxury at the expense of millions pretending to serve but in effect getting served.

CBK on her own admission that she is a good actress mentioned in the course of a talk show on ITN that SB was no confidant of hers. Perhaps she has forgotten, hence may I jog her memory? A few years ago Maithripala Sirisena was officially selected to be the general secretary and when the election day dawned SB ran with the baton. CBK was as jubilant as SB and Sirisena who has no self respect now acts as her lap dog. What has CBK got to say? I trust the man who sings for his supper will give the country an answer.

In the words of CBK, self centred politicos could not care less even if lightning strikes the nation, for their only concern is only power and privileges.

Naomal Lokuge, a Sri Lankan writing from Oslo refers to a statement made by a below mediocre fog horn that we Sri Lankans cannot expect any better from a nation of salmon eaters who have turned into international busy bodies, referring to the Norwegians.

Yes this arrogant fog horn who is still smarting having lost his ministerial job for which he was unsuitable has attempted to deride the Norwegians without presumably not knowing the world ranking that the Norwegians enjoy and in the process made Sri Lanka a laughing stock of the world.

There are plenty of men of the calibre of Milinda Moragoda, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Jayantha Dhanapala to name a few who stand out as shining ornaments amidst mediocrities of the calibre of Mangala Samaraweera.

This court jester found a place in Newsweek in its December 29/ January 5 issue, presumably to poke fun at Sri Lankans quoting him with such heavyweights like Donald Rumsfeld and Dr. Mahathir Mohamed. Adverting to the right of CBK to continue till 2006, a celebrity from the PA who has left an indelible mark in the WTC and the Ministry of Health had asked the voters to go to courts to ascertain whether the public perception that she has to go in 2005 in terms of the law is correct or not.

Well if morality is a factor, she should have quit after December 2001 as she who led the campaign from the front was routed.

Joe Perera
Panadura

Black sheep in Cricket Board 

After the infamous betting scandal, the ICC warned all countries to refrain from electing bookies as officials on cricket-boards.

But disappointingly to the horror of many, a bookie was elected president with the blessings of the government. To the amazement of the public the same bookie is involved in many a crime, thus scandalising the Cricket Board.

Although there are many thick-skinned black sheep involved in the board none have the courage to resign.

Now it is left to the government to call for their resignations.

M.H.M. Razin
Puttalam

Deshamanya General Don Sepala Attygalle is a name synonymous with greatness and this was perceived in his disposition, academia and professional stature.

His achievements were diverse in nature as is popularly known. He was an old boy and created history at Royal College, Colombo. He became the head prefect of the school in 1940. He won colours in both athletics and rugby and was elected senior sergeant of the cadet contingent. With his appointment to the Sri Lanka Army as a second lieutenant he carried out his duties and served his country with diligence and valour. As a result he was appointed Commander of the Army in 1967.

He retired from the army in 1977 as a four-star general. After retirement, he held such appointments in the government sector as additional secretary, Ministry of Defence, secretary, Ministry of Defence, high commissioner for Sri Lanka in the UK, chairman Airlanka and chairman, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. His valued service was much appreciated by those who knew him in these various capacities.

One of the best testimonials a former principal of Royal College, E.L. Bradby gave for those seeking King's Commissions was to D.S. Attygalle. He took the Sword of Honour at the army passing out parade at Diyatalawa in 1941.

Notwithstanding his academic and career achievements, his personal influence engendered much enrichment. Those closest to his heart endorse his humility and self-effacing ways. Life to him proved to be a book of lessons, with every experience being an opportunity to enhance himself further. And these valued lessons were readily imparted to his kith and kin. His family was his priority. He was always very dutiful and carried out his responsibilities towards each one with loyalty. He may no longer be with us, but we as family members have learnt from his life that we can live to the maximum potential of our being only if we attain sincerity of character and love for our fellowmen.

Sepala Attygalle was to us the embodiment of the following lines from H.W. Longfellow:

"Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And whilst departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time"
A Family Member